Applications open for proxy voting ahead of Sept 1 elections

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has announced on Friday that it is currently accepting applications for proxy voting in preparation for the General and Regional Elections scheduled for Monday, September 1, 2025.
Proxy voting allows registered voters, who are unable to physically attend their designated polling stations on Election Day, to cast their ballots through an appointed proxy, subject to specific eligibility criteria.
According to GECOM, voters may apply to vote by proxy if they fall under any of the following categories: Rural constables or members of the Disciplined Forces who are performing election-related duties on Election Day and did not participate in the Disciplined Forces Balloting; election officials, including Returning Officers, who are assigned to work in districts other than where they are registered to vote; individuals engaged in operating vessels for the Transport and Harbours Department on Election Day; candidates contesting the elections who are carrying out election duties in a district different from where they are registered and visually impaired or physically incapacitated voters who cannot access their polling stations.
In a release, GECOM emphasised that both the voter applying for proxy and the proxy must be registered in the same List of Electors and vote at the same Polling Station. Application forms for proxy voting are available at the offices of the Returning Officer (RO) or Supernumerary Returning Officer (SRO) for the district or sub-district in which the applicant is registered. Completed applications must be submitted to the District Returning Officer (DRO) no later than August 11, 2025. Eligible voters are encouraged to apply promptly to ensure their voting rights are preserved during the upcoming elections.